5 NHL Groups That Stand Out In A Dangerous Method Very Early On

It is not uncommon to see good NHL groups battle lower than two weeks into the season, however it’s stunning to see how a few of these squads are doing.

Already this yr, we’re seeing groups at or close to the underside of their respective divisions who few, if any, observers believed can be there at any level. In alphabetical order, let’s check out 5 of these NHL groups:

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche quietly misplaced a lot of their depth from their 2021-22 Stanley Cup-winning squad, even when they’ve tried to get it again. This yr, with captain Gabriel Landeskog and sniper Valeri Nichushkin each sidelined for various causes – and with goaltending proving to be a direct drawback – the Avs have lost all of their first four games.

The Avalanche’s offense is common at 3.25 goals-for per recreation, however their protection and netminding have been ugly. They at present have the NHL’s worst goals-against common at a stunning 6.25. Contemplating the Avalanche have what, on paper, are stable high 4 blueliners, it’s fairly stunning the crew as a complete is that this brutal in its personal finish.

Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has already dipped into the waiver wire to herald goalie Kaapo Kahkonen, who will be a part of the crew as soon as the immigration course of is settled, coach Jared Bednar told reporters. Time will inform whether or not he’ll be prepared on Friday towards the Anaheim Geese or Sunday towards the San Jose Sharks, but when the Avalanche are nonetheless winless after then, it’s undoubtedly time to press the panic button. Whereas some suspected the Avs can be extra challenged to win this yr, no person noticed this begin coming for them.

Related: NHL Power Rankings: New No. 1 – Stars, Jets And Flames Rise While Oilers And Avalanche Fall

Detroit Crimson Wings

The Detroit Crimson Wings are anticipated to make some advances this season and finish the playoff drought after nearly making it final yr. However up to now, it has not been easy sailings in Motown, with the Red Wings posting a 1-2-0 record out of the gate.

The Wings’ protection hasn’t been too dangerous, permitting 3.33 objectives towards per recreation, however the offense is one other story. Detroit’s 2.33 goals-for per recreation is the NHL’s fifth-worst.

Solely 4 Crimson Wings gamers have two to a few factors within the crew’s first three video games. That’s not going to chop it within the aggressive Atlantic Division.

After the Wings play the New York Rangers within the second recreation of a home-and-home, they face the Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres (twice), Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets. All these groups are both above-average or determined to win video games – in different phrases, there’s no ‘gimme’ video games for them anytime quickly.

By the tip of that stretch, the Crimson Wings may discover themselves close to the highest of the division or buried within the Atlantic standings. The latter can be an enormous letdown for a crew that aimed to be difficult for a playoff spot this yr. The 2024-25 marketing campaign is an enormous alternative to see what the longer term seems to be like for the Crimson Wings, and having a setback would damage.

Edmonton Oilers

Matching their abysmal begin to the 2023-24 marketing campaign, the Oilers stumbled out of the gate this yr, dropping their first three video games by a mixed rating of 15-3 and sinking to the basement of the improving Pacific Division.

The largest shock of something this season is that the high-octane Oilers – which made many good additions this summer season – averaged simply 1.75 goals-for per recreation of their first 4 matches.

Related: Comparing The Oilers’ Start: A Year-Over-Year Look At Their First Three Games

Edmonton’s protection has additionally struggled up to now with a 4.50 goals-against common. Many, if not most, pundits picked the Oilers to win this yr’s Stanley Cup – and whereas there’s nonetheless time to show issues round the way in which Edmonton did final season, the Oilers are taking part in with fireplace and will wind up dropping home-ice benefit within the 2025 post-season.

Edmonton wants an all-around higher effort from its whole roster. If the Oilers don’t get it, their followers will probably be rightfully incensed with the product they’re consuming.

Nashville Predators

As one of the vital beefed-up groups within the NHL after the low season, the Predators have been presupposed to be vying for the highest spot within the Central Division. As an alternative, they bought a Preds crew that’s gone 0-3-0 and been outscored 14-6 in losses to the Dallas Stars, Crimson Wings and Seattle Kraken.

Nashville’s offense is just not performing appropriately after getting Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, with the NHL’s second-fewest goals-for per recreation (two). Their protection has been simply as unimpressive, permitting 4.67 objectives towards per recreation. Already, we’re seeing Predators coach Andrew Brunette calling out his players, saying they deserved this begin for taking part in “firewagon hockey.”

Nashville wants fast enchancment, as their subsequent stretch of the schedule pits them towards the Oilers, Crimson Wings, Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Predators have to win no less than three of these video games or sink additional behind the remainder of their division rivals.

With their new-look lineup setting a excessive bar for them this season, Nashville can’t afford to battle for for much longer. If they will’t pull out of the tailspin, it is going to be extremely intriguing to see how GM Barry Trotz reacts, as a result of lacking the playoffs this yr will probably be fully unacceptable.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks did shock folks with their super 2023-24 season. Nonetheless, this season is stunning within the reverse vogue, with three losses out of the gate to groups that, on paper, are worse than them – the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Vancouver averaged 4 objectives towards per recreation of their first three outings, and their offense is the eighth-worst within the NHL at 2.67 goals-for per recreation. Star Canucks blueliner Quinn Hughes and middle Elias Pettersson have mixed for less than three assists in as many video games, and solely two Canucks have three factors this season. That places every kind of strain on Vancouver’s protection and goaltending. Up to now, they haven’t been as much as the problem.

The Canucks’ schedule has a few softer touches arising within the Flyers and Blackhawks, however additionally they have showdowns towards the defending Cup-champion Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Devils. Vancouver wants a speedy turnaround, or they’ll have dug a gap that will probably be troublesome to climb.

Get the newest information and trending tales proper to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your ideas by commenting under the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum.

Related: The Wraparound: Where Do Crosby And Malkin Rank Among NHL’s All-Time Duos?